But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
Malachi 4:2 ESV
Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Charles Wesley
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.
On that last day, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord! We will celebrate, cheer, salute the Sun of Righteousness!
The Sun
Jesus is the light of the world. Revelation 21:23-24a reminds us that no sun will be needed in the new heaven and earth. “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light …”
The Apostle John tells us that through the Word, Jesus, “all things were made and without him nothing was made that has been made.” In this Word, this Jesus was life, and “that life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:1 – 5)
Healing
Jesus healed all sorts of diseases in His earthly ministry. He still does give physical healing but the greater gift is spiritual healing. He repairs – revives, refreshes – our souls.
Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. For he must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through his holy prophets.
Acts 3:19-21 NLT
God promises to heal us of our faithlessness because his love knows no bounds! (Hosea 14:4)
On that Day of the Lord, He will “wipe every tear from our eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.” In the New City, the tree of life will be on either side of the river of life flowing from the throne. The leaves of that tree will be for the “healing of the nations.” Imagine no division among nations, war, strife, or even a wound.
The Spirit of the Lord God is on me,
Isaiah 61:1-3 CSB
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and freedom to the prisoners;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,
and the day of our God’s vengeance;
to comfort all who mourn, to provide for those who mourn in Zion;
to give them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
festive oil instead of mourning,
and splendid clothes instead of despair.
And they will be called righteous trees,
planted by the Lord
to glorify him.
Prayer
Father, You who are the creator of light
And Life, the One who repairs, restores,
And makes all things new, open our eyes
That we might behold Jesus in this
Christmas season – may we behold
His glory, and celebrate the gift
Of grace and truth. Amen.
